Hinsdale man facing felony charges in child sexual assault case – My Keene Now

Case Report: Violation of Sustainable Development Goals in Cheshire County

Incident Summary

A report from Cheshire County Superior Court details a significant case concerning the violation of child safety and welfare. The case involves Jason Lowman, a 25-year-old male, who has been indicted on charges that directly contravene multiple Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly those focused on child protection, justice, and well-being.

• Subject: Jason Lowman, 25, of Hinsdale, N.H.
• Charges: Two counts of aggravated felonious sexual assault and one count of felonious sexual assault.
• Victim: A child under the age of 13.
• Status: The case is pending prosecution in Cheshire County Superior Court.

Chronology of Institutional Response

The timeline of events highlights the critical function of public institutions in upholding child protection mandates, a cornerstone of the SDGs.

1. Early May: A child disclosed the alleged abuse to school staff, activating protective protocols within the educational system.
2. Investigation: The disclosure prompted an immediate investigation by Hinsdale police, led by the School Resource Officer.
3. June 7: Following the execution of a search warrant, authorities arrested Jason Lowman.
4. Judicial Action: The case proceeded to the Cheshire County Superior Court, where Lowman was formally indicted on felony charges.

Alignment with Sustainable Development Goal 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

This case is a direct reflection of the challenges and responses outlined in SDG 16, which aims to end violence against children and ensure access to justice.

• Target 16.2 (End Abuse and Violence Against Children): The alleged acts of sexual assault represent a severe breach of this global target. The indictment underscores the societal commitment to prosecuting such violations and protecting vulnerable populations.
• Target 16.3 (Promote the Rule of Law): The systematic response by law enforcement and the judicial system—from investigation to indictment—exemplifies the mechanisms required to uphold the rule of law and provide access to justice for victims of violence.

Implications for Sustainable Development Goal 3: Good Health and Well-being

The incident profoundly impacts the victim’s right to health and well-being as defined by SDG 3.

• Target 3.4 (Promote Mental Health and Well-being): Abuse and exploitation inflict severe, long-term trauma on a child’s mental and physical health. This case highlights the critical importance of safeguarding children to ensure they can lead healthy lives, a fundamental objective of sustainable development.

The Role of Institutions in Upholding the SDGs

The response to this incident demonstrates the interconnected roles of different institutions in creating a safe and just society.

• Educational Institutions (SDG 4: Quality Education): The school’s role as a safe space where the child felt able to disclose the abuse is critical. This aligns with Target 4.a, which calls for “safe, non-violent, inclusive and effective learning environments for all.”
• Justice Institutions (SDG 16): The actions of the Hinsdale Police and the Cheshire County Superior Court are central to building the “effective, accountable and inclusive institutions” mandated by SDG 16. Their function in pursuing justice is essential for community safety and the achievement of sustainable peace.

Analysis of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

1. SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
   • The article directly relates to this goal by detailing a crime of violence against a child and the response of the justice system. It highlights the roles of institutions like the police and the courts in addressing such crimes and ensuring justice.
2. SDG 5: Gender Equality
   • This goal aims to eliminate all forms of violence against women and girls. The article discusses sexual assault, a form of gender-based violence, which is a primary focus of SDG 5.
3. SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
   • Sexual assault has severe and lasting impacts on the physical and mental health and well-being of victims. The incident described directly undermines the well-being of the child involved.
4. SDG 4: Quality Education
   • The article mentions that the child disclosed the abuse to school staff. This highlights the role of educational institutions as safe environments and crucial points for child protection, which is essential for ensuring quality education.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

1. Under SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
   • Target 16.2: End abuse, exploitation, trafficking and all forms of violence against and torture of children. The article’s central theme is the sexual assault of a child under 13, which is a direct example of the abuse and violence this target aims to end.
   • Target 16.3: Promote the rule of law at the national and international levels and ensure equal access to justice for all. The article describes the process of the rule of law in action: the report to the police, the investigation, the execution of a search warrant, the arrest, and the indictment in a superior court. This demonstrates the system providing access to justice for the victim.
2. Under SDG 5: Gender Equality
   • Target 5.2: Eliminate all forms of violence against all women and girls in the public and private spheres, including trafficking and sexual and other types of exploitation. The case of felonious sexual assault described in the article is a specific instance of the violence that this target seeks to eliminate.
3. Under SDG 4: Quality Education
   • Target 4.a: Build and upgrade education facilities that are child, disability and gender sensitive and provide safe, non-violent, inclusive and effective learning environments for all. The fact that the child felt safe enough to disclose the abuse to school staff implies that the school is functioning as a safe environment, which is a key component of this target.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

1. For Target 16.2 (End violence against children)
   • Indicator 16.2.3: Proportion of young women and men aged 18-29 years who experienced sexual violence by age 18. The article provides a specific case of sexual violence against a child, which would be a data point contributing to this indicator.
   • Implied Indicator: Number of reported cases of child sexual assault. The article begins with the child’s disclosure, which initiates a formal case, a key metric for tracking the prevalence and reporting of such crimes.
2. For Target 16.3 (Promote the rule of law)
   • Implied Indicator: Number of individuals arrested, prosecuted, and convicted for violent crimes, specifically child sexual assault. The article details the arrest and indictment of Jason Lowman, which are steps in the justice process that can be quantified to measure the effectiveness of the rule of law.
3. For Target 5.2 (Eliminate violence against women and girls)
   • Indicator 5.2.2: Proportion of women and girls aged 15 years and older subjected to sexual violence by persons other than an intimate partner. The article describes an assault by a known person (“supervisor”), which aligns with the type of data collected for this indicator.
4. For Target 4.a (Provide safe learning environments)
   • Implied Indicator: Existence of school-based reporting mechanisms for violence and abuse. The child’s disclosure to school staff, which prompted an “immediate investigation,” implies the existence of a protocol or mechanism for reporting abuse within the school system. The presence of a “School Resource Officer” further supports this.

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

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